DOI: 10.5433/1679-0359.

2016v37n4Supl1p2691

Levels of metabolizable energy and digestible lysine for broiler

chicks 1-10 days of age

Níveis de energia metabolizável e lisina digestível para pintos de

corte de 1 a 10 dias de idade

Ricardo Vianna Nunes1*; Thaís Lorana Savoldi2; Cláudio Yuji Tsutsumi3;

Cleison de Souza4; Jomara Broch4; Sharon Karla Lüders Meza5; Liliane Borsatti6;
José Luiz Schneiders5

Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of different levels of metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible lysine
(DL) on the rate of protein deposition, rate deposition body fat and intestinal morphology of broiler
chicks 1 to 10 days of age. The study design consisted of 1,152 broilers, weighing 52 ± 5 g, distributed
in a completely randomized, 4x4 factorial design, consisting of four levels of ME (2700; 2825; 2950
and 3075 kcal/kg) and four levels of DL (1,080; 1,187; 1,295 and 1,403%), with 16 treatments and
three replicates, with 24 poultry in each experimental unit. The protein deposition rate (PDR) and fat
deposition rate (FDR) were not affected (P>0.05) by the ME, however, PDR was influenced linearly
(P<0.05) by increasing lysine. There was an interaction (P <0.05) between the levels of ME and DL,
whose increase resulted in a higher villus height of the duodenum, jejunum and a greater relation
villus: crypt ratio of the ileum. Therefore, levels of DL and ME had positive effects on the intestinal
development of broiler chicks in the pre-starter phase.
Key words: Amino acid. Poultry farming. Energy density. Morphology.

Resumo
O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito dos níveis de energia metabolizável (EM)
e de lisina digestível (LD), sobre a taxa de deposição de proteína, taxa de deposição gordura corporal
e morfometria intestinal de pintos de corte de 1 a 10 dias de idade. Foram utilizados 1.152 pintos de
corte, com peso médio de 52±5g, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema
fatorial 4x4, constituídos quatro níveis de EM (2700; 2825; 2950; e 3075 kcal.kg-1) e quatro níveis
de LD (1,080; 1,187; 1,295 e 1,403%), com 16 tratamentos, três repetições e com 24 aves ME cada
unidade experimental. A taxa de deposição de proteína (TDP) e de gordura (PDR) não foi influenciada
(P>0,05) pelos níveis de EM, no entanto, a PDR foi influenciada de forma linear (P<0,05) pelos níveis
crescentes de lisina. Houve interação (P<0,05) entre os níveis de EM e DL, cujo aumento nesses níveis

1
Prof. Dr., Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, UNIOESTE, Marechal Cândido
Rondon, PR, Brasil. E-mail: nunesrv@hotmail.com
2
Profª, Curso de Medicina Veterinária, M.e em Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, UEM, Umuarama, PR, Brasil. E-
mail: thaislorana@hotmail.com
3
Prof. Dr., Curso de Agronomia, UNIOESTE, Marechal Cândido Rondon, PR, Brasil. E-mail: cytsutsu@uol.com
4
Discentes do Curso de Doutorado do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zootecnia, UNIOESTE, Marechal Cândido Rondon, PR,
Brasil. E-mail: cleisondsz@hotmail.com; brochjomara@yahoo.com.br
5
Mestres em Zootecnia, Umuarama, PR, Brasil. E-mail: shakavet@hotmail.com; ze.luiz@zootecnista.com.br
6
Drª em Zootecnia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. E-mail: liliane_borsatti@yahoo.com.br
*
Author for correspondence
Recebido para publicação 14/12/15 Aprovado em 17/05/16
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 Nunes, R. V. et al.

proporcionaram maior altura das vilosidades do duodeno, jejuno e na relação vilo:cripta do íleo. Os
níveis de lisina digestível e energia metabolizável apresentam efeito positivo sobre o desenvolvimento
intestinal dos pintos de corte na fase pré-inicial.
Palavras-chave: Aminoácido. Avicultura. Densidade energética. Morfometria.

Introduction Metabolizable energy (ME) is the term used to

Advances in genetics research have enabled an
improvement in feed conversion rates and carcass
yield of broilers, which are determining factors
from a nutritional point of view, considering that
the phenotypic expression of genetic potential is
influenced by the environment and nutrition. Thus,
knowledge of the nutritional requirements for
growth and development is important to obtain the
maximum performance from the poultry.
Newly hatched poultry in the pre-initial phase
undergo changes in their nutrition, as their nutritional
requirements were previously obtained from the
yolk sac, which is rich in proteins and lipids. Once
hatched, they obtain their nutrition from supplied
feed based on protein and complex carbohydrates
(SAKOMURA et al., 2004).
According to Gonzales and Sartori (2002),
the growth of muscle tissue is closely related to
nutritional factors including the level of dietary
amino acids, energy, vitamins and minerals, since
the excess or deficiency of these nutrients can
influence protein synthesis or degradation.
The correct ratio of amino acids that comprises
the starter diets is currently formulated based on
the ideal protein concept, which is to provide the
proper amount of essential amino acids, without
deficiency or excess. The amino acid lysine is used
as a reference in the early stages, and is preferably
intended for muscle deposition although some
body parts respond better to increases in amino
acid intake. High performance broilers require
greater concentrations of lysine in the diet due to
higher daily protein synthesis (TAKEARA et al.,
2010).
express the energy available and is commonly used
in calculations of the nutritional value of poultry
feed (NUNES et al., 2008). This is considered a
strategic nutritional factor in production systems
that use fed ad libitum, because food consumption
is mainly regulated by the caloric density of rations,
which may have implications on the productive
and economic efficiency of poultry activity. The
requirements for crude protein, amino acids and
other nutrients are usually expressed in terms of
levels of ME of feed (SILVA et al., 2003).
This study was conducted in order to establish
the best level of ME and digestible lysine (DL) for
broiler chickens in the pre-initial phase of 1 to 10
d of age, for the rate of fat deposition, rate of body
protein deposition and morphometric features of the
small intestine.
Materials and Methods
The experiment was conducted at the
Experimental Station of poultry farming at
Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná-
UNIOESTE, and was approved by the ethics
committee and the institution’s biosafety protocol,
Protocol 04511. The poultry were housed in boxes
(experimental unit - UE), which had a tubular feeder,
nipple-type water dispenser, hood heating (250 watt
infrared lamps) and concrete floor, which was lined
with pine shavings.
One thousand one hundred and fifty-two male
broiler chicks, one day old, from the commercial
line Cobb 500 and with an average weight of 52 ±
5 g were used. The treatments were distributed in
a completely randomized design in a 4x4 factorial

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 Levels of metabolizable energy and digestible lysine for broiler chicks 1-10 days of age
design, consisting of four levels of Metabolizable
energy (ME) (2700; 2825; 2950 and 3075 kcal/kg)
and four levels of digestible lysine (DL) (1,080;
1,187; 1,295 and 1,403%) totaling 16 treatments
with three repetitions of 24 poultry each. After the
distribution of poultry, an additional group of five
broilers were fasted for six hours and then killed by
cervical dislocation and frozen at -200 °C for later
processing.
The experimental diets were formulated based
on corn and soybean meal (Table 1), according
to the composition of the food and nutritional
requirements proposed by Rostagno et al.
(2011), maintaining the relation ideal protein for
methionine + cysteine (71%), tryptophan (16%),
threonine (65%), arginine (105%), isoleucine
(65%) and valine (75%).
At 10 days old, two animals per EU, with a range
of ± 10% by weight processing, were fasted for six
hours and weighed and killed by cervical dislocation
for evaluation of body composition.
Carcasses of the additional group and the poultry
slaughtered at 10 days were individually crushed
and homogenized, and a sample of each bird was
sent to an animal nutrition laboratory for pre-
drying in a forced air oven at 550 °C for 72 hours,
with subsequent pre-degreasing. The degreased
carcasses were again crushed, and then submitted
for analysis of dry matter, ether extract and crude
protein, according to the methodology described by
Silva and Queiroz (2004).
For determination of protein deposition rates
(PDR) and fat deposition rates (FDR) in the
carcass (g/day) the methodology adapted by Fraga
et al. (2008) was used. A PDR was measured by
comparing the chicks slaughtered at the end of the
trial period with the additional group of five chicks
slaughtered in the housing.
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On the tenth day, two more poultry with the UE
average weight (± 10%) were slaughtered for the
histomorphometric evaluation of the small intestine.
The segments of the small intestine (duodenum,
jejunum and ileum) were opened on the mesenteric
border, and fragments of approximately 2.0 cm in
length were carefully collected, washed in distilled
water, extended the tunica serosa and fixed in
buffered 10% formalin solution for 24 hours. After
this period, they were subjected to several washes
with 70% ethanol and kept in this solution to make
the slides.
Subsequently, the samples were dehydrated
in increasing alcohol solutions, cleared in xylene,
embedded in paraffin wax and cut with a rotary
microtome to 7 μm. Three blades were prepared per
animal and each blade inserted semiserial four cuts.
The sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin.
The morphometric analysis of histologic
sections was performed in the Motic Advanced
2.0 image analyzer, Animal Reproduction Sector
CAU-MEU. Straight lengths were selected and
measured in accordance with the adopted unit (μm),
30 villi and 30 crypts and oriented. The villus height
measurements were taken from the upper base of
the crypt to the apex of the villus, and crypts were
measured between the lower base of the villi to the
upper base of the crypt.
Statistical analyses were performed with
assistance of the Statistical Analysis System version
9 (SAS, 2002). Statistical analysis of the parameters
was performed by PROC GLM (P≤0.05). The
parameters in which significant differences were
found (P≤0.05) were estimated by polynomial
regression using the PROC REG. For interactions
of ME x DL, significant (P≤0.05) response surface
regressions were estimated using the PROC RSREG
procedure as adjustment data.
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Table 1. Composition of experimental diets for broiler chicks in the pre-initial phase (1-10 days of age).

ME 2700 2825 2950 3075

Lys Dig % 1.080 1.187 1.295 1.403 1.080 1.187 1.295 1.403 1.080 1.187 1.295 1.403 1.080 1.187 1.295 1.403
Ingredients %                
Corn 52.87 53.59 54.30 54.91 57.16 57.87 58.59 58.87 59.23 59.94 60.47 58.99 60.61 59.13 57.65 56.17
Soybean meal 24.37 27.33 30.30 33.26 23.91 26.87 29.83 32.92 24.52 27.48 30.46 33.65 24.37 27.56 30.76 33.95
Glutamic acid 7.976 5.500 2.600 0.000 7.744 5.064 2.374 0.000 8.897 6.217 3.537 0.967 8.823 6.261 3.689 1.119
Inert 6.600 5.296 4.400 3.300 3.030 1.930 0.830 0.000 2.107 1.004 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
Wheat bran 3.000 3.000 3.000 3.000 3.000 3.000 3.000 2.713 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100
Dicalcium phospha 2.032 2.00 1.968 1.937 2.018 1.986 1.954 1.927 2.048 2.017 1.985 1.951 2.032 1.998 1.964 1.931
Limestone 0.953 0.954 0.956 0.957 0.961 0.963 0.964 0.963 0.946 0.948 0.949 0.952 0.957 0.959 0.962 0.965
L-Lysine HCl 0.427 0.466 0.505 0.545 0.431 0.469 0.509 0.547 0.423 0.461 0.501 0.539 0.424 0.461 0.499 0.537
Premix APP 1 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400
Salt 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400 0.400
DL-Methionine 0.317 0.358 0.401 0.443 0.307 0.349 0.392 0.434 0.305 0.347 0.390 0.436 0.302 0.348 0.396 0.442
L-Threonine 0.169 0.191 0.213 0.235 0.165 0.187 0.209 0.231 0.160 0.182 0.204 0.229 0.159 0.183 0.207 0.232
L-Valine 0.140 0.161 0.182 0.204 0.134 0.155 0.175 0.199 0.130 0.151 0.172 0.198 0.128 0.152 0.176 0.202
L-Arginine 0.134 0.148 0.165 0.181 0.133 0.148 0.164 0.181 0.100 0.150 0.167 0.183 0.135 0.150 0.168 0.184
Soy oil 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.164 0.890 1.066 1.794 2.520 3.246
Choline chloride 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060
Isoleucine 0.020 0.026 0.032 0.038 0.017 0.023 0.029 0.035 0.015 0.021 0.027 0.034 0.014 0.021 0.028 0.036
BHT 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020
Nunes, R. V. et al.

Calculated                
ME kcal/kg 2700 2700 2700 2700 2825 2825 2825 2825 2950 2950 2950 2950 3075 3075 3075 3075
Crude protein g/kg 215 215 215 215 215 215 215 215 221.1 221.1 221.1 221.1 221.1 221.1 221.1 221.1
Lysine Dig g/kg 10.80 11.87 12.95 14.03 10.80 11.87 12.95 14.03 10.80 11.87 12.95 14.03 10.80 11.87 12.95 14.03
Met+Cyst Dig g/kg 7.67 8.43 9.20 9.96 7.67 8.43 9.20 9.96 7.67 8.43 9.20 9.96 7.67 8.43 9.20 9.96
Met Dig g/kg 5.41 6.00 6.60 7.19 5.36 5.95 6.55 7.15 5.36 5.95 6.56 7.17 5.35 5.96 6.58 7.20
Threonine Dig g/kg 7.02 7.72 8.42 9.12 7.02 7.72 8.42 9.12 7.02 7.72 8.42 9.12 7.02 7.72 8.42 9.12
Arginine Dig g/kg 11.34 12.46 13.60 14.73 11.34 12.46 13.60 14.73 11.34 12.46 13.60 17.43 11.34 12.46 13.60 14.73
Isoleucine Dig g/kg 7.02 7.72 8.42 9.12 7.02 7.72 8.42 9.12 7.02 7.72 8.42 9.12 7.02 7.72 8.42 9.12
Valine Dig g/kg 8.10 8.90 9.70 10.52 8.10 8.90 9.70 10.52 8.10 8.90 9.70 10.52 8.10 8.90 9.70 10.52

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Potassium 0.620 0.576 0.732 0.788 0.623 0.679 0.735 0.790 0.615 0.672 0.728 0.782 0.617 0.670 0.725 0.779
Sodium 0.177 0.177 0.177 0.177 0.177 0.177 0.177 0.177 0.177 0.177 0.177 0.177 0.176 0.176 0.176 0.176
Calcium 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932 0.932
Phosphorus Disp. 0.468 0.468 0.468 0.468 0.468 0.468 0.468 0.468 0.468 0.468 0.468 0.468 0.468 0.467 0.467 0.467
1
2.500 Vit A IU/kg; Vit D3 625 KIU/kg; Vit E 6,250 IU/kg; Vit K3 500 mg/kg; Vit B1 625 mg/kg; Vit B2 1,625 mg/kg; Vit B6 875 mg/kg; Vit B12 4,500 µg/kg; Ac. Pant 3,750 mg/kg;
Niacin 10,500 mg/kg; Ac Fol 300 mg/kg; Biotin 20,000 µg/kg; Choline 83,531.250 mg/kg; Mn 18,738.600 PPM; Zn 27,499.998 PPM; Zn.Org 10,000PPM; Fe 11,250.001 PPM; Cu
1996.371; I 187.50 PPM; Se 100.00 PPM; Org 25,000 PPM; Narazina 12,500 mg/kg; Nicarbazin 12,500 mg/kg; BHT 37,500 mg/kg; Enramycin 2,500 mg/kg.
 Levels of metabolizable energy and digestible lysine for broiler chicks 1-10 days of age

Results and Discussion digestible lysine (DL) on the protein deposition

rates (PDR) and fat deposition rates (FDR) in the
There was no interaction (P>0.05) between
carcasses of broiler chicks the pre-starter period
the levels of metabolizable energy (ME) and
(Table 2).

Table 2. Protein deposition rate and fat deposition rate in 10-day-old broilers.

  PDR FDR
  (g/day) (g/day)
ME
2700 3.114 1.891
2825 2.93 1.721
2950 3.09 2.014
3075 3.076 2.051
Regression ns ns

LYS
1.080% 3.199 1.73
1.187% 2.985 1.818
1.295% 3.051 2.039
1.403% 2.993 2.114
Regression ns
L*
CV(%) 24.08 26.69
Average 3.057 1.946
Polynomial regression equation
FDR=0.33945+1.27416*LYS; R2= 0.94
CV = coefficient of variation, ns = not significant; L * = linear effect at 0.05 probability.

The levels of ME and DL did not influence
(P>0.05) the PDR. These results were different from
those found by Leandro et al. (2003), who evaluated
different nutritional plans (energy and protein) and
observed a linear increase in the PDR. The increase
in protein deposition was related to the gradual
improvement in the energy / protein ratio of feed,
where the lowest levels were insufficient to ensure
proper deposition rate.
DL levels had a linear influence (P<0.05)
on FDR (FDR = 0.33945 + 1.27416*LYS; R2 =
0.94), but no differences were observed (P>0.05)
in the levels of ME. These data differ from those
found by Cella et al. (2009), who did not find
a significant effect of different levels of DL in
broiler chicks ranging from 1 to 21 days of age.
However, Toledo et al. (2007) also did not find a
significant effect of different levels of DL in the
diet on the PDR and FDR of broiler chicks in the
pre-initial phase.
In a study conducted by Nunes et al. (2015),
the authors observed that the PDR and FDR were
influenced by an increase in the levels of ME and
DL in the feed, with the increase of ME being the
main factor responsible for increasing the FDR.
According to Silva et al. (2001), the accumulation
of fat in the carcass is the result of energy intake
beyond the needs for maintenance and muscle
growth of poultry, as well as the increase of the ME:
crude protein ratio.

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 Nunes, R. V. et al.

According to Vasconcellos et al. (2012), by Different levels of ME and DL interacted to

reducing the concentration of protein and / or
dietary amino acids, there is an increase in carcass
fat content; therefore, it was understood that diets
with high levels of protein and amino acids provide
a lower body fat ratio, although the same was not
observed in this experiment.
affect the duodenum villus height (P<0.05; Table
3), with the best results obtained with reduced
levels of ME and increased levels of DL (DVH
= -8315.6429 + 4.4169*ME + 4678.6016*LYS -
0.0003*ME2 - 2.2669*ME*LYS + 864.125*LYS2;
R2 = 0.30) (Figure 1).

Table 3. Means of intestinal morphometry of broiler chickens from 1 to 10 days of age treated with different levels of
metabolizable energy and digestible lysine.

Duodenum Jejunum Ileum

Villus Crypt Villus Villus Crypt Villus:crypt Villus Crypt Villus:
(µm) (µm) :Crypt (µm) (µm) (µm) (µm) (µm) crypt
ME
2700 1188.06 223.30 5.35 754.56 199.14 3.83 596.84 170.35 3.60
2825 1203.90 261.78 4.66 769.64 205.58 3.79 623.31 196.39 3.19
2950 1204.83 247.42 4.97 794.71 214.08 3.75 631.87 197.15 3.22
3075 1203.74 223.16 5.40 850.28 231.42 3.71 677.60 201.71 3.37
Regression ME ns ns ns ns ns ns
L* Q* ns

Lysina
1.08 1162.06 230.29 5.10 718.82 210.29 3.47 588.09 185.11 3.21
1.187 1184.49 232.85 5.10 753.74 212.36 3.60 607.80 187.36 3.30
1.295 1195.67 238.62 5.18 794.80 213.36 3.75 652.68 194.15 3.42
1.403 1258.32 253.89 5.01 901.83 214.21 4.25 681.05 198.97 3.46
Regression DL ns ns ns ns ns
L** L** ns ns

ME x DL RS RS
RS RS RS ns ns ns ns

CV 6.02 10.13
9.90 6.69 11.54 12.04 10.48 12.48 3.34
Average 1200.13 238.91
5.09 792.29 212.55 3.76 191.39 191.39 14.45
Polynomial regression equations
HIV= 52.946+0.2007*ME; R2= 0.89
DIC= -2886.3+2.0606*ME-0.0003*ME2; R2= 0.93
RVCJ= 0.90467+2.3069*LYS; R2= 0.88
DVH= 259.18453+300.68148*LYS; R2=0.98
Response surface equations
DVH= -8315.6429+4.4169*ME+4678.6016*LYS-0.0003*ME2-2.2669*ME*LYS+864.125*LYS2; R2= 0.30
DCD= -8422.5127+6.0187*ME-63.3877*LYS-0.001*ME2-0.1882*ME*LYS+273.0148*LYS2; R2= 0.31
RVCD= 5.6713-0.4519*ME+1171.798*LYS+0.0002*ME2-0.3789*ME*LYS-26.5946*LYS2; R2= 0.23
VHJ= 263.0311-0.9277*ME+2673.6663*LYS+0.0006*ME2-2.0659*ME*LYS+1546.4099*LYS2; R2= 0.71
CDJ= 5.6713-0.4519*ME+1171.798*LYS+0.0002*ME2-0.3789*ME*LYS-26.5946*LYS2; R2= 0.23
CV = coefficient of variation; RS = response surface; L = linear effect; Q = quadratic effect; s * and ** = not significant, meaningful
P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively; HIV = height of ileal villus; DIC = depth of ileal crypt; RVCJ = villus: crypt of jejunum; DVH=
villus height of duodenum; DCD = depth of duodenal crypt; RVCD = villus: crypt of duodenum; VHJ= height of jejunum villus;
CDJ = depth of jejunum crypt.

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 Levels of metabolizable energy and digestible lysine for broiler chicks 1-10 days of age

Similarly, an interaction was observed (P<0.05)
between the levels of ME and DL regarding
the jejunum villus height (VHJ = 263.0311 -
0.9277*ME + 2673.6663*LYS + 0.0006*ME2 -
2.0659*ME*LYS + 1546.4099*LYS2; R2 = 0.71),
with an increase in the size of villi observed with a
reduction in the level of DL and an increased level
of ME (Figure 2). The same behavior was observed
for the ileal villus height (P<0.05).
crypt depth (DCD = -8,422.5127 + 6.0187*ME -
63.3877*LYS - 0.001*ME2 - 0.1882*ME* LYS +
273.0148*LYS2; R2 = 0.31) (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Duodenal crypt depth in terms of levels of
metabolizable energy and digestible lysine.
DCD = -8422.5127+6.0187*ME-63.3877*LYS-0.001*
ME2-0.1882*ME*LYS+273.0148*LYS2, (R2=0.31)

Figure 1. Duodenal villus height depending on the levels

of metabolizable energy and digestible lysine.
DVH = -8315.6429+4.4169*ME+4678.6016*LYS-0.0003*
ME2- 2.2669*ME*LYS+864.125*LYS2, (R2=0.30)

The jejunum crypt depth also showed an

interaction (P<0.05) according to the levels of ME
and DL (CDJ = 5.6713 - 0.4519*ME + 1171.798*LYS
+ 0.0002*ME2 - 0.3789*ME*LYS - 26.5946*LYS2;
R2 = 0.23), where the depths were observed with an
Figure 2. Villus height of the jejunum based on the levels
increase in ME and a reduction in DL (Figure 4).
of metabolizable energy and digestible lysine.
VHJ = 263.0311-0.9277*ME+2673.6663*LYS+0.0006*
ME2-2.0659*ME*LYS+1546.4099*LYS2, (R2=0.71)
Figure 4. Crypt depth of the jejunum as a function of the
levels of metabolizable energy and digestible lysine.
CDJ = 5.6713-0.4519*ME+1171.798*LYS+0.0002*
ME2-0.3789*ME*LYS-26.5946*LYS2, (R2=0.23)

In the duodenum, an interaction was observed

(P<0.05) between the levels of ME and DL regarding

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 Nunes, R. V. et al.
Regarding the duodenal villus height to crypt
depth ratio, an interaction (P<0.05) was obtained
between the levels of ME and DL (RVDC = 5.6713
- 0.4519*ME + 1171.798*LYS + 0.0002*ME2
-0.3789*ME*LYS - 26.5946*LYS2; R2 = 0.23),
which showed a better relationship with increasing
levels of ME and DL (Figure 5).
Figure 5. The duodenal villus: crypt ratio based on
metabolizable energy and digestible lysine.
RVDC = 5.6713-0.4519*ME+1171.798*LYS+0.0002*
ME2-0.3789*ME*LYS-26.5946*LYS2, (R2= 0.23)
In the jejunum, the villus: crypt ratio showed a
linear increase (P<0.05) with increasing levels of
DL (RVCJ = 0.90467 + 2.3069*LYS, R2 = 0.88).
There were no differences (P>0.05) for the villus:
crypt ratio in the ileum.
After poultry hatch, the morphologic and
functional development of organs occurs, with
a consequent increase in the area of absorption
and secretion of enzymes, suggesting that the
morphometric increase in digestive organs and their
enzymatic activity are coordinated by the efficient
supply of nutrients.
According Maiorka et al. (2003), the number
of villi per area was higher in the duodenum 48
hours, and in the duodenum and jejunum 72 hours
post hatch, in poultry that suffering food and water
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restriction in poultry, compared to poultry that
received feed and water ad libitum. The authors
concluded that this increase was related to the
reduction in gut size of these poultry.
The intestinal mucosa is responsible for the
absorption of food, which is held in the villi
through the enterocytes. The number of villi is
associated with the enterocytes of the villi, and
their size increase reflects a greater absorption of
food (MACARI; MAIORKA, 2000). Freitas et al.
(2008) reported that most villus height is related to
performance results, and that poultry with larger
villi have higher weight gains and better feed
conversion. Thus, the larger the size of the villi,
the greater the ability of digestion and absorption
of nutrients, due to the larger contact area and the
level of enzyme effectiveness between the mucosa
and intestinal lumen.
Pelicano et al. (2003) studied the intestinal
morphometry of poultry on diets with different
probiotics, and found that the highest value of crypt
depth was related to an increased cell proliferative
activity, the purpose of which is to ensure an
adequate rate of epithelial renewal, offsetting losses
in the heights of the villi. These results partially
corroborate with an experiment conducted by Duarte
et al. (2012) who evaluated different energy levels
(3200 and 3600 kcal/kg) and feeding programs,
and noted that the highest level of energy led to a
higher villus height and improved performance of
the poultry.
Conclusions
Diets with 3075 kcal/kg and 1.403 DL% provided
better intestinal morphometric characteristics of
broiler chickens 1 to 10 days of age.
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